Sen. Alexander's allies can't back his tax on Internet sales

5:04 AM,
May 6, 2013

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., is shepherding an unusual bill for a keep-taxes-low Volunteer State Republican. The Marketplace Fairness Act would allow states to force Internet retailers to do what brick-and-mortar businesses have done for ages: collect sales taxes on every transaction and give the money to state and local governments.

Written by

Chris Carroll
| Chattanooga Times Free Press

Known as an elder statesman among Tennessee politicians, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander easily snatched up all the House members he wanted to support his 2014 re-election campaign. But many of those same conservative allies are ambivalent or even critical of the former governor's top legislative priority.

Alexander is shepherding an unusual bill for a keep-taxes-low Volunteer State Republican. The Marketplace Fairness Act would allow states to force Internet retailers to do what brick-and-mortar businesses ...